When the federal government presents its 2016 Budget on March 22, employers will be listening to hear more about the proposed changes to parental leave. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government said it would introduce more flexible parental benefits, which would allow working parents to receive benefits in smaller blocks of time over a period of […]
Plan sponsors awaiting a final report on modernizing and increasing accountability in the regulations of financial services and pension plans in Ontario should be wary of a recommendation that would give the new regulator binding rule-making authority and the ability to impose fines on those that don’t follow the rules. “That’s a bit of a sea change, given that […]
More than three-quarters (77%) of Ontarians are concerned about the sustainability of the province’s healthcare system, according to a new report. The Ontario Chamber of Commerce’s survey is published today alongside its report, Transformation through Value and Innovation: Revitalizing Health Care in Ontario. According to the survey, 80% of respondents agree with the statement “Ontario’s healthcare system will […]
The top rewards-related issue during a merger and acquisition transaction is medical benefits, a key area of focus in 92% of projects analyzed by Mercer for its first People Risks in M&A Transactions report. The report, which included the analysis of nearly 450 transaction assignments and some 300 M&A professionals, found that about 80% of the transactions […]
Almost a third (30%) of U.K. employers have a defined wellness strategy in place for their employees, according to new research by the Reward & Employee Benefits Association. Its Employee Wellness Research 2016: How wellness strategies are growing in the UK, published in association with Punter Southall Health & Protection, found that 80% of these wellness strategies were launched in […]
Employers that provide health and wellness benefits for retirees will want to make sure they keep an eye on a number of changes to the Ontario Drug Benefit program announced in the budget on Feb. 25. “They will want to make sure they look at their plans to avoid having to pay twice, and that […]
Educating employees about their benefits is a high priority for 65% of North American organizations, according to new research by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans. Its Benefits Communication Survey Results, which polled Canadian and U.S. employers, found that, despite prioritizing benefits communication, only 19% of employers surveyed said their employees have a high […]
During its announcement of the 2016 Ontario Budget on Feb. 25, the provincial government said it’s on track to ensure that, by 2020, all eligible Ontario employees will be covered by a comparable workplace pension plan or the ORPP. While elements of the ORPP’s design were announced in January 2016, the government said it will outline further […]
BC Hydro, Dentons, Home Depot, National Bank, City of Ottawa and SaskTel are among Canada’s best employers for diversity. Canada’s Best Diversity Employers 2016 list recognizes employers across Canada that have exceptional workplace diversity and inclusiveness programs. The selection committee reviews these programs to determine how they compare to other employers in the same field, addressing five major employee groups: […]
The Association of Canadian Pension Management is hoping to see a series of pension consultations announced by the Ontario government when it shares the details of its 2016 Budget on Thursday. In its fall statement, Building Ontario Up, announced on Nov. 26, the provincial government said it would focus on a series of initiatives to […]